Fingal's Cave has been a source of inspiration for centuries
In Scotland's Inner Hebrides, lies a unique rock formation. Hundreds of geometric columns that once inspired Jules Verne and the Pink Floyd... Welcome to Fingal's Cave. đŽó §ó ąó łó Łó Žó ż
This is neither a human construction nor an extraterrestrial islandâŠ
In the west of Scotland, this uninhabited island has been a source of fascination for centuries. The Vikings, believing it was formed by gods or giants, named it âStaffaâ, otherwise known as âpillar island.â Its cliffs are adorned with thousands of hexagonal columns. On the south side is Fingalâs Cave, which resembles a natural temple. As the ocean rushes inside, it creates strange echoes.
The similarity between these pillars and those of the Giantâs Causeway gave rise to a legend. These two places are said to be the endpoints of an ancient causeway built by giants. The columns from both sites share a similar composition: they are made from volcanic basalt.
The Isle of Staffa was formed around 59 million years ago, when an eruption produced a thick lava flow. By cooling down slowly, it created these hexagonal forms. Later, erosion contributed to the carving out of Fingalâs Cave.
Over the centuries, the cave has inspired the painter William Turner, the writer Jules Vernes and the group Pink Floyd. Now uninhabited, the island is accessible by boat and it's possible to explore it on foot. In spring and at the start of summer, several birds come here to nest, like Atlantic puffins. You can also see black guillemots, cormorants, razorbills and northern fulmars. Since 2001, the island has been classified as a National Nature Reserve.
Brut.
This is neither a human construction nor an extraterrestrial islandâŠ
In the west of Scotland, this uninhabited island has been a source of fascination for centuries. The Vikings, believing it was formed by gods or giants, named it âStaffaâ, otherwise known as âpillar island.â Its cliffs are adorned with thousands of hexagonal columns. On the south side is Fingalâs Cave, which resembles a natural temple. As the ocean rushes inside, it creates strange echoes.
The similarity between these pillars and those of the Giantâs Causeway gave rise to a legend. These two places are said to be the endpoints of an ancient causeway built by giants. The columns from both sites share a similar composition: they are made from volcanic basalt.
The Isle of Staffa was formed around 59 million years ago, when an eruption produced a thick lava flow. By cooling down slowly, it created these hexagonal forms. Later, erosion contributed to the carving out of Fingalâs Cave.
Over the centuries, the cave has inspired the painter William Turner, the writer Jules Vernes and the group Pink Floyd. Now uninhabited, the island is accessible by boat and it's possible to explore it on foot. In spring and at the start of summer, several birds come here to nest, like Atlantic puffins. You can also see black guillemots, cormorants, razorbills and northern fulmars. Since 2001, the island has been classified as a National Nature Reserve.
Brut.